ECOLOGY

Latest News

• Solar Power Plant Project in Dersim cancelled 

  The solar power plant (GES) project planned for the village of Xeceri in Dersim has been cancelled.
• Mining continues in Hesandin despite missing EIA report 

  The company’s EIA report was lost in a 2020 flood, yet operations persist as locals prepare to launch a protest camp.
• Euphrates River's water draining: Drought risk increasing 

  With the decreasing water levels in the Euphrates River, a major drought risk is emerging in Tabqa. Many drinking water transmission stations have been shut down due to the lack of water.
• Thousands of trees burned in forest fire on Mount Gabar 

  Thousands of trees burned and many animals died in a forest fire that broke out yesterday afternoon on Mount Gabar.
• Citizens protest cyanide gold mine project in Eskişehir 

  The cyanide gold mine project that Eti Bakır A.Ş., a subsidiary of Cengiz Holding, wants to carry out in Eskişehir was protested by environmental defenders.
• Villagers say their lives are poisoned by the mine’s dirty water flowing into Pêrî Valley 

  The polluted water collected by the mine in Kiğı flows into Pêrî Valley and villagers say the mine is poisoning their lives and living space.
• Turkey’s dams cause the Afrin River to dry up 

  The Syrian Violations Documentation Center announced that Turkey's dam construction policies have caused the Afrin River, which is of vital importance for North-East Syria, to almost completely dry up.
• Boldaş: Mining cannot be done with a colonial mentality 

  Canfidal Boldaş said that mining should not be carried out with a colonial mindset but in a way that respects both people and nature.
• Urfa and Van bars react to mining plans in olive groves 

  Bar associations in Urfa and Van reacted to the draft law allowing mining activities in olive groves and natural areas.
• Forest fires continue in Izmir and Manisa 

  The forest fire that broke out in the wooded area between Kuyucak in Izmir’s Menderes district and Orhanlı in Seferihisar district is continuing into its third day. In Manisa, forest fires that started in two different locations are also ongoing.
• Forest fire in Mardin countryside brought under control  

  After hours of firefighting, the forest fire in the Omerya region near Nusaybin has been brought under control. The fire spread rapidly on Sunday amid strong winds, destroying several hundred hectares of forest.
• Thousands evacuated amid severe forest fires in Izmir 

  Severe forest fires are raging in the Turkish coastal province of Izmir. Strong winds, high temperatures, and dry vegetation are making it difficult for firefighters to battle the flames.
• Water politics in the Tigris basin – A view from South Kurdistan  

  Anuradha Jangra from Jawaharlal Nehru University stated that the water policies of Turkey and Iran affect Southern Kurdistan and Iraq.
• Mulberry molasses season begins in Bingöl 

  Women in Bingöl are once again preparing mulberry molasses, turning the summer harvest into a source of livelihood.
• Deforestation for the construction of a military post in Yazidi village in İdil sparks protests 

  In the historical Yazidi village of Kiwex near İdil, construction of a new military post has begun. While trees in forest areas are cleared, villagers criticize the encroachment on nature and property.
• Forest regeneration begins in Şêxan after years of tree cutting 

  The forest in Şêxan is beginning to recover as greenery returns to the area following two years of relentless tree cutting.
• Decrease in the Euphrates River water level increases pollution rate 

  According to a report by the National Water Center, pollution levels have increased by 5% due to the decrease in the water level of the Euphrates River. The Raqqa Water Directorate is taking measures to address this situation.
• Glaciers in Hakkari under threat from ‘Cilo Fest’  

  Despite warnings from experts and local residents, preparations for the ‘Cilo Fest’ have already caused damage to the historic and sensitive natural environment in glacier areas of Hakkari.
• Amed Ecology Council announces its establishment "to create a common ground for struggle" 

  The Amed Ecology Council advocates the construction of democratic, ecological, and women's libertarian social structures to overcome the crisis between society and nature.
• New images of ecological destruction on Mount Gabar 

  As deforestation continues on Mount Gabar, spreading to new areas, new images show logs stacked 3 kilometers long.
• Forest fires in Mardin and Şırnak 

  A forest fire has been brought under control in Mazıdağı, Mardin. Shortly afterwards, another fire broke out near the historic fortress. Emergency services are continuing to battle the flames, including with firefighting helicopters.
• 2nd Mesopotamian Water Forum to be held in Amed in October 

  The 2nd Mesopotamian Water Forum will be held in October 2025 in Amed (Diyarbakır). The forum will address water and water-related issues in the basins of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• March in Dersim against pumice mining project 

  A mass march was held by the Sekasur Environmental and Nature Platform to protest the planned pumice mining project in Dersim’s Hozat and Pertek districts.
• Zeki Irmez: A systematic ecocide is unfolding in Botan 

  Zeki Irmez denounced the state-led deforestation in Botan as a deliberate and systematic act of ecocide.
• Kurdish conservationist Hana Raza receives Wayfinder Award 2025 

  Biologist Hana Raza is honored with the prestigious Wayfinder Award from the National Geographic Society for her tireless efforts to protect endangered species in Iraq and the Kurdistan region.